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Mr Lin

Freeman Razemba Senior Reporter
Trade between Zimbabwe and China has reached the $1,2 billion mark and the two countries should continue strengthening their political, economic and cultural relations, outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Lin Lin said yesterday.

Speaking at the China National Day and Farewell reception, Ambassador Lin said in the past 10 years, China supported Zimbabwe’s national construction efforts and had provided a $1,5 billion loan.

“Our bilateral trade reached a record high of $1,24 billion in 2014, more than doubling that of 2010. To support Zimbabwe’s efforts of national construction, in the past 10 years, China has provided about $1,5 billion worth of preferential, concessionary and commercial loans to Zimbabwe.

“There has been a lot of breakthrough in major projects such as the Kariba South Hydro Power Station expansion, NetOne broadband expansion, the Victoria Falls International Airport expansion, etc,” he said,

He said many Chinese financial institutions and enterprises were discussing with their Zimbabwean partners on implementing more major projects in the country.

“The biggest moment is President Mugabe’s successful State visit to China in August last year. During the visit, the two presidents reached important consensus and pointed out the direction for further development of the bilateral ties,” Ambassador Lin said.

During his visit to China, President Mugabe negotiated mega deals in the areas of infrastructure development and rehabilitation, energy, transport among other economic enablers.

“Now the two sides are joining hands in implementing the outcome of this visit. That is since the beginning of this year, Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, State Councillor Chang Wanquan, Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Ming and many other working groups of different Chinese ministries have visited Zimbabwe.”

He said Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa also paid a successful and fruitful visit to China in July this year.

Ambassador Lin said in recent years, the number of Zimbabwean students in China had increased rapidly.

According to statistics, in 2014, 588 students went to study in China, while this year about 100 students are studying under China funded scholarships.

Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Cde Edgar Mbwembwe, said Zimbabwe and China enjoy cordial relations and China had remained steadfast in supporting Zimbabwe. He said Chinese investments have also continued to increase in the country in all sectors of the economy.

The event was attended by ministers, senior Government officials, army, police and Air Force of Zimbabwe officers, among others.